The war on marijuana is a multimillion dollar yearly expenditure that has incarcerated thousands of men and women. Yet despite the clear opinion of American citizens, who have voted to decriminalize marijuana in 15 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Nevada Oregon, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington) the federal government, and the DEA in particular, continues to continue to charge marijuana users with use of a schedule I drug.

While cigarettes and alcohol kill thousands more than marijuana each year, both of those substances are legal and are seemingly protected by the government. Studies have shown that marijuana is not as detrimental to mental or physical health as once thought, and very few violent crimes are tied in with the sale or use of marijuana. It is time this outdated “reefer madness” approach the federal government has taken towards marijuana come to an end.

The government could cut funding to the DEA if marijuana were nationally decriminalized, allowing funds to be spent toward more socially progressive institutions, such as education and healthcare. Also, as can be seen in many of the decriminalized states, the sale of marijuana can help improve local economies. From soil and machinery to real estate and electricity, the growing and sale of marijuana benefits multiple sectors of the economy as well as creates numerous skilled and unskilled jobs within an entirely new (and very taxable) industry.

In addition, there are thousands still serving jail time for marijuana charges in America. In conjunction with the decriminalization, these cases should be reviewed and possibly released based on the number and nature of their crime(s).

Please sign this petition and remind our leaders they are part of a government that is for the people, by the people. It’s time they hear our cries to decriminalize marijuana.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Boehner and Mrs Pelosi,

Fifteen states have voted to decriminalize marijuana. Two others (Colorado and Washington) have voted to totally legalize it. Yet despite this clear change in voter opinion towards marijuana, the federal government continues to list marijuana as a schedule I drug.

On a state level, the decriminalization of marijuana has greatly helped local economies. From soil and machinery to real estate and electricity, the growing and sale of marijuana benefits multiple sectors of the economy as well as creates numerous skilled and unskilled jobs within a local community. On a national scale the decriminalization of marijuana could add an entirely new, and very taxable, industry to the American economy.

In addition, by cutting marijuana out of the war on drugs, part of the DEA’s massive budget could be reallocated to several underfunded or sequestered administrations.

It’s time this outdated “reefer madness” approach the federal government has taken towards marijuana come to an end.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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Photo credit: Bogdan via Wikimedia Commons

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5 Comments

Personally, I don’t smoke pot. I just don’t like the feeling it gives me BUT, I feel it’s utterly stupid that pot is federally illegal. So much money is wasted on enforcement when it could be regulated and taxed like alcohol is. Besides there are many people who benefit from it medically. I’ve seen it help one person I know tremendously.

I couldn’t agree with you more on the waste of money for enforcement and also it is something that could bring revenue because it could be taxed like alcohol. Besides, alcohol is WAY WORSE in my eyes! Hopefully someday it will be legal and treated just like alcohol. In addition, I have never heard of anyone dying of an overdose of pot!

POT HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER AND IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE BASICALLY HARMLESS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES.WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH LEGALIZING IT THEN? JUST DO IT FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!

Not signing this one. I DO agree with its use medicinally as a sort of last resort painkiller, but the last thing society needs is yet another easy way for people to get intoxicated and do stupid shit like driving and killing people on the roads. A lot of people need to grow up and live without recreational drugs.